In a move to increase patient access to advanced radiotherapy technology, Icon Cancer Centre has partnered with 5D Clinics to bring the highly precise Accuray CyberKnife® System to the east coast of Australia. This joint venture aims to make robotic radiation therapy technology available to the greater Australian population, reducing the current need to travel long-distances and associated physical and emotional stress. The first of these new eastern seaboard CyberKnife centres is located in Cremorne, Melbourne and is the first of several clinics planned across Australia’s east coast through the partnership1.
In the year 2000, approximately 88,000 cases of cancer were diagnosed in Australia. Projections indicated that in 2024, the number of cancer diagnoses rose to around 169,000, representing an increase of approximately 93% over 24 years. This significant increase is primarily attributed to population growth and the rising number of individuals reaching older age, where cancer incidence rates are higher. By 2034, with continued population growth and an anticipated increase in cancer rates, it is estimated that approximately 209,000 cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia2.
Radiotherapy is an extremely important treatment for cancer patients, delivered with the aim to prevent or cure disease, or as palliative care. Between 2018-2019, 74,200 courses of radiotherapy were delivered in Australia3.
A recent report from the Lancet Oncology Commission on Radiotherapy and Theranostics found that despite progress, a disparity in equipment availability and a lack of trained medical professionals remains as a global challenge. By 2050, the radiation therapy workforce will need to expand significantly to meet the projected rise in cancer cases. To mitigate this, the Commission suggests optimizing workflows, using resource-sparing approaches, and adopting advanced techniques. Implementing hypofractionation for prostate and breast cancer has the potential to provide radiotherapy for an additional 2.2 million patients with significant associated cost savings. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is also cost-effective, even in low- and middle-income countries4.
Click here to read the full blog including interview with Bruno Bosco, GM of the new CyberKnife Centre, Joint Venture of Icon and 5D Clinics.
